Summer duds

sundressredo

This is (mostly) a Knitting Pure & Simple pattern by Diane Soucy: #266 Little Girl’s Sundress. I modified it a tad. The striping was my idea–not too special. But I’m rather proud of the ruffle.  Here’s a closer look:

sundress_ruffle

Here’s how I knit the dangle-down ruffle: purl 2 rounds, knit 1 round. Next round *knit 1, knit in the front and back of the stitch*, repeat from * to * across the entire round. Knit one round. Repeat the increase round. Then knit 1 round. Repeat the increase round. Knit 2 rounds. It uses a TON of yarn, though.

For the bind off, I used the “elastic bind off” from page 123 of the Cap Sease book, “Cast On, Bind Off.” You knit 2, insert the left needle into the front of both stitches on the right needle from left to right and knit the two stitches together through the back loops, knit 1–repeat across row.

sundress_redo2

The sundress is knit in Berroco Weekend. It’s easy-care: 75% acrylic, 25% cotton. This is the first time I’ve used it. I was quite satisfied. The colors are ambrosia and cornsilk.

Next, is a free pattern on Ravelry: Confection Baby Shrug, by Tonya Wagner. The designer suggests Blue Sky Worsted Cotton and I happened to have one skein and a bit, left over from this. I knit the 18 months size and needed one skein, plus about 5 yards.
shrug2

Once I completed the shrug, in the dandelion colorway, I decided it goes fairly well with the sundress. And, in cotton, it could be quite useful if the summer day turns a bit chilly. I’m not quite understanding why the wrists are quite so wide, though. My hand fits through it.

All fun stuff. Knitting for the wee ones is a blast!